Swollen 4 Months Post Labiaplasty?

Had Labiaplasty w excess prepuce removal approx 4 months ago. Only on my left side. Still experiencing swelling, discomfort, pain at times. It even feels almost turned on down there when it swells at times and the scar next to my hood definitely feels bothered. I am more swollen now than I was a week after surgery. Sex leaves me irritated for a long time. My doc says I'm a slow healer, but I am wondering if I shouldn't be more concerned. Looks fine, but I am more worried about feeling. TY!

Doctor Answers 9

Swelling

January 14th, 2016

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Any time prior to a few months is too soon to expect edema to resolve, worry that it will not or know your final result. Labia often swell quickly and asymmetrically early on for the first 2-3 days and varies widely from patient to patient. Pain is variable from patient to patient. Sitz baths in warm water though good for cleaning and possible infection prevention can cause increased swelling. It can last several weeks to months and vary from day to day if you overdo it, eat a salty meal. Things you can try for early edema resolution: Low salt diet, arnica, bromelain, Ibuprofen. You should have a good idea of your final appearance by 3 months. I tell my patients, for most you are 85% of the way to your final result in about 3 months the rest takes up to a year.

Swelling after a labiaplasty: persistent after 4 months

December 12th, 2015

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Postoperative care will usually consist of sitz baths or soaking
the area in warm soapy water starting approximately 2 days after a
surgery. The sutures will dissolve over the course of several weeks. Swelling can persist for two or three
months. Ice can help reduce swelling.Scars can remain thick or tender, massage can help.. you should be followed by you doctor

Labiaplasty healing

December 7th, 2015

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Thank you for your question and sharing your experience and concern. Swelling from the procedure should be long gone by now. From the photo and your description, you may have an ingrown hair, a small inflammed cyst, or irritated scar tissue. I would revisit your plastic surgeon to be evaluated.

Labiaplasty Pictures

Swelling and discomfort after surgery

October 22nd, 2015

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Scars in this area, like any where else in the body can be thick initially. Your scar is will mature of time and become less noticeable and softer. A tender scar is a sign of an active scar which is remodeling. I suggest you return to your surgeon to ask what you can do about the scarring. Massage will definitely help.

Hypersensitivity after labiaplasty and clitoral hoodectomy

Hypersensitivity after labiaplasty and/or clitoral hoodectomy is common and can occur for one of two reasons.

1. the clitoris was over-exposed by aggressive hoodectomy. This does not appear to be the case based on the photo above, but if too much tissue is removed from the clitoral hood, this can reveal the clitoris and any kind of contact will stimulate this very sensitive tissue.

2. Scars are tender. It very well may be the case that your scar is involved with a small nerve ending that is irritated. Usually these nerve endings are very small and respond very well to physical massage. The massage basically slowly breaks down the scar tissue and can improve discomfort. While it may sound like strange medical advice, I would certainly advice massaging the scar area 3-4 times per day. This should help resolve the sensitivity around the scar.

In rare cases, doing a scar revision along a painful scar can be helpful. This is because (again very rarely) a neuroma has formed... basically a scar right on a nerve. This is very rare, but if your symptoms persist and can be traced to a very specific point on the scar, I would recommend a small revision of this area. Make sure you continued to follow up with your doc.

Scar swelling after surgery

October 17th, 2014

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If your scar area is tender and swollen after surgery, you could have an ingrown hair, a cyst, or if it is just in the area of the scar, an infected scar due to either bacteria or fungal elements or both. Treatment would depend on which one is most likely.

Swollen 4 months after labiaplasty

December 12th, 2010

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It is quite difficult for me to see the scar. However, it appears that you have a scar along the medial aspects of the labia majora which occasionally may make the hair rotate inwards towards the more delicate labia minora. This can cause irritation during sex and normal activities. Have you tried waxing? Shaving may not sufficiently remove the irritating hair "stubble." If this works, a more permanent solution may be laser hair removal.

Swollen 4 months post Labiaplasty?

August 30th, 2012

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What you are probably experiencing at 4 months post surgery is some minor swelling and scar maturation. Between 2 and 4 months following surgery, your scar tissue can be at peak levels. This can make the area appear swollen and also itch or tingle. This should resolve over time. Massage and silicone based scar cream should help.

See your surgeon

It is hard to tell just from the picture why you may have this recurring issue of swelling and pain.

It is not uncommon to have swelling after any surgery for up to 6 months to a whole year. Specifically in the genital area.

You may have a cyst or ingrown hair that cyclically gets irritated. Or it maybe a deeper structure or a suture that has not dissolved or a permanent suture that is superficial an is irritating the labia.

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as
a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you
have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute
or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.